Scott Patterson...Barnstormers!

Scott Patterson is one of the original Barnstormers. He was the starting pitcher in the first ever game at Clipper Magazine Stadium in 2005. After being with the Barnstormers for a couple of seasons, he was the first Barnstormer to make it to the "Show" when he made his major league debut for the Yankees in 2008. He has since pitched for the Padres, back to the Barnstormers, and now with the Tacoma Rainiers...AAA affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. After finding out what we were doing by one of our friends, Scott sent us a few of his 2011 Tacoma Rainiers baseball cards. Thanks Scott for the cards and Olivia for making the connection!



Today's Autographs: 3
Season autographs: 1119
YTD $ raised for Alopecia Areata: $55.95

Pictures from Cleveland

Jim Thome with the family

Jim Thome with Blake and Gavin

Manager Manny Acta

Manny Acta with Alopecia Areata wristband

1st round draft pick and future star Franciso Lindor

Justin Masterson

Ubaldo Jiminez

Honorary Bat Boys

Grady Sizemore

Rally Alley

The Game

Slider with Blake and Gavin

Enjoying the game

Browns cornerback Joe Haden

Tigers Victor Martinez

Game 45: Detroit Tigers 10 Cleveland Indians 1

As the honorary bat boys for the Indians, we figured we would do pretty good on autographs...and we did. Most of them were by the Indians, but we did get a few Tigers too. All of the players we came in contact with from both teams were super nice. When we first got there, Gavin was asked who his favorite Indian is. He loves Shin-Soo Choo! Since he is on the DL he was not going to be at batting practice...bummer! In the 3rd inning, Jess (our Indians rep) came down to our seats with a signed ball and signed picture for Gavin. AWESOME! So here are some of the autographs we got that night...

Jim Thome signed bat!

Balls signed by Victor Martinez, Ubaldo Jimenez, and Shin-Shoo Choo

Gavin got his ticket signed by Duane Below, Tigers



Today's Autographs: 49
Season autographs: 1116
YTD $ raised for Alopecia Areata: $55.80

Cleveland Rocks!

As a kid you dream of one day being in the big leagues. Well, if only for a day, Gavin and I got to live that dream. As part of the September "Team Up for Alopecia Areata" awareness we were invited by NAAF and the Cleveland Indians to be the honorary bat boys for Tuesdays game against the Tigers. What an experience!

We got to the gates at a little after 4 and were escorted down on the field to watch batting practice. It was awesome! Dad, Mom, Kyle, Gavin, and I all got to stand next to the dugout to talk to the players, get autographs, and watch batting practice. I had lots of cards with me as well as a few other things to get signed. The Indians gave us a ball and we actually got a few balls during batting practice that they let us keep. Azdrubal Cabrera, Carlos Santana, Lou Marson, Jason Donald, Grady Sizemore, Koske Fukudome, Manny Acta...well, the whole team...were all as nice as could be...signed for us, talked to us, and shook our hands. The highlight of the night came when Jim Thome came over to talk to us for a few minutes. We were so excited when he got traded to Cleveland so we would have the chance to meet him. After talking to us, posing for pictures, and signing autographs, he went into the clubhouse and said he'd be right back. He came back and handed his bat to me...signed "To Blake"!



WOW! A future Hall of Famer who just hit his 600th career home run just gave me one of his bats...and it wasn't even broken! Another highlight came from talking to Justin Masterson. He is one of the rising stars in baseball and took the time to talk to us for quite a few minutes. He shared with me that he had alopecia areata a few years back but forgot what it was called. Now he just shaves his head.

Indians pitcher Justin Masterson

Indians Manager Manny Acta

Manager Manny Acta is a class act! He was so kind to us signing autographs, posing for pictures, and wearing the NAAF awareness band.

We also got to meet 2 other pros that were there. Joe Haden, Browns cornerback, was there to throw out the first pitch, and Francisco Lindor, Indians 1st round pick, was there talking to the media. So it ended up being a great night!

Browns cornerback Joe Haden

Indians 2011 first round pick Francisco Lindor

The Indians are full of not only great ball players, but great people! The greatness on the field didn't come out that night as they got beat by the Tigers 10-1 but the greatness as people shines bright and will not be forgotten. A huge "THANK YOU" to the Indians players, Indians staff, and the staff at NAAF for letting this happen! More pictures and autograph update coming Friday!

Cleveland...Here we come!

Today we headed out to Cleveland, Oh. We are going to the Indians game on Tuesday night as part of Alopecia Awareness month. Gavin and I will be down on the field for batting practice with the Indians as honorary bat boys. We have been looking forward to this for a couple of months now and it is finally here! We'll be sure to check back in when we get home Wednesday with lots of pics and hopefully lots of autographs. Clothes are packed, snacks are packed, and the cards are safe and secure in the car!

Game43: Lancaster Barnstormers 9 SMD Blue Crabs 0 Game 44: SMD Blue Crabs 9 Lancaster Barnstormers 1

The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs were in town this weekend and we made it to Saturday and Sundays game. Saturday was up there as one of the top 2 or 3 pitching performances in the 7 year history of the Barnstormers. Matt Wright fired a complete game 1 hit shutout without walking a batter and was still throwing in the mid 90's in the 8th inning! Game and fireworks were over by 9:00! Sunday was a different story as all the hits the Blue Crabs missed out on Saturday they picked up today. It was a great weekend for baseball and autographs!






Weekend Autographs: 39
Season autographs: 1067
YTD $ raised for Alopecia Areata: $53.35

Game 42: Lancaster Barnstormers 19 Road Warriors 4

Catching up...Thursday night we made it back in time for the Barnstormers to take on the Road Warriors. We got to pretty much finish up our team card set for 2011 and got some other autographs as well. As for the game...it was mercifully brought to an end by rain in the 6th. The Barnstormers had 20 hits including 4 home runs! Hope they can keep that going for the playoffs!





Todays autographs: 18
Season autographs: 1028
YTD $ raised for Alopecia Areata: $51.40